International Tabletop Day

Last Saturday was International Tabletop Day held at Harrison Plaza Village Square, organized by my friend, Noel (he's the adorable fluffy dude in black) and powered by Meeple Power Games. It was a really good day. We were there from 10AM to 9PM just playing tabletop games, eating, and getting to know people. Just good fun with good people and I never get tired of it. 

There were some 15 games (or more) that were available. Gloom's one of my favourites.

With one of Noel's girls, Nikki (my absolute mini-me). She tells me I'm her favourite. She's also my favourite. It's kind of funny because Nico says Nikki is like having my personality (high distractability and randomness) in a little girl body. I love her to bits!

Yuki, Peter, and Noel. In increasing age order. Ha ha, kidding. Thank you for the cream cheese and chicken-stuffed crust. 

Nikki, Nico, Manesh (evil), Yuki, guy I forgot, Pao and I played Citadels and I can't with all the alliances and conspirators. This game lasted for an hour and I was so pooped after this that I sat the next games out. 

 bleh, bleh!

Seriously, though. I think the tabletop community should grow. It's an absolutely fun way to meet new people and spend time with people. It's an advocacy of mine now, I guess! So come and join us!

A month ago or so, I was clinically diagnosed with Bipolar disorder. It's not like it's a surprise or anything-- I knew I needed help. It was either that or generalized anxiety disorder. But it was more than anxiety, I suppose. It was some unexplained sadness I always felt. Even though there wasn't anything to be sad about (I was anxious about my school performance, but the nagging burden never left after all my academic responsibilities ended), I was depressed and kept on asking myself if there was something I kept on forgetting. I dropped a major subject (which "entitles" me to getting delayed for a year) in which my performance was suffering. And about that, I think I could have done it, mentally. Emotionally, no. During duty days I felt like I was in a pit being buried alive. I had such a perceived lack of support systems, and the support system I was forced to be in decided to go on a mental war with me on account of me not agreeing with their methods of "having fun". And now, they're using my diagnosis against me when I'm... not even around anymore. And these are people who took Community Mental Health with me. But it's fine. No use thinking about that anymore.

And I did go to a doctor. Amazing how UP-PGH offers free consultations to students like me. I didn't pay a single cent. My doctor's nice. Sometimes I wonder if he's genuinely empathetic or if that's just how he does his job but either way, it feels good to have at least one person think of psychosocial conditions such as these objectively. And the meds help. Although they screw up my period, I think it's better than being depressed about nothing. I'm not really sure if I'm taking the meds for life because I can't imagine life on it forever.

But the thing about having a diagnosis like that is people take it against you. I'm usually open about my feelings but about this, I think twice about revealing my condition out publicly. It frustrates me a lot that people think differently about me when they find that I'm diagnosed as bipolar. It's not like I randomly explode or do anything rash. I'm just sad most of the time. I wish I could just talk about my bipolar tendencies without getting a negative reaction.

But you know what, I'm happy right now. I don't know if it's the lack of school work, or that I know I can do all the things I've wanted to do in the next year since I have a lax schedule. I can go out more. I can learn more things, read more books, paint more. I have a group of friends in church who were the friends I wish I could have again (I admit, I miss having geek friends who enjoyed art, games, cards, and comics-- you barely find those in UP Manila). I get to enjoy more with my boyfriend. I'm helping a friend set up his indie art gallery at Cubao Expo. I'm in a production design team in church and I spend my Sundays playing tabletop games with my favourite kids and people. I'm just irredeemably happy. I'm still working on equipping myself for when the anxiety strokes again. I hope I can get it right this time. 

Cubao Ex

 A few days ago, Nico and I decided to Double D (double date) with Kat and Chris over at Cubao Ex. While waiting for them, we went around and just took pictures.

My Breathing Space's amazing vintage pieces.

Hoot hoot.

 This big lug can never not make a funny face when I'm taking his picture.

 Another vintage store, UVLA. 

After meeting up with Kat and Chris, we headed to The Appraisery, my favourite place in Cubao Ex. Since there was a Game of Thrones tourney, the four of us played Cards Against Humanity, Wasabi! and Pandemic.

 Even I got violated by my own answers.

 THIS GAME MADE MY BRAIN HURT

 The pretty kitty.

 ...and the doge.

Ugh, Pandemic was the most stressful game. On our first try we were so overwhelmed by the infection rates that we just had to start again. On our second game which lasted an hour and a half, we managed to beat the game. 

Old Things

Museum Adventure

 Today, Nico and I paid a visit to the National Museum. I fell in love with the fine arts again, and I must try out my hand at sculpting, and get back to painting as well. Museums make me a wide-eyed child. Nothing much to say here, but I ended the day dead tired. I hope to see more art soon.